The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-09-15
MARK TwAlN.s couRrsAlp.
How the Famous Humorist Won His Bride
and Her Anxious Father, Too.


How the Famous Humorist Won His Bride
and Her Anxious Father, Too.
Mark Twain is in New York almost
every week. He is very much at home
in the city. but he never stops twice at
the same hotel: that is, not twice con-
secutively. This is because he likes
variety. 1t has nothing to do with the
bill or his methods of payment Mark
is all right though every now and then
some old crony from the West who
hasn't struck pay-dirt since 40, will
turn up with a queer story about the
great humOrist and his days of impe-
curiosity. Little do these detractors
know that Mark was called upon sud-
denly one day to furnish Californian
testimonials to his good character. and
that he passed through the ordeal in a
fashion that should silence all carping
criticism.
AS every one knows. Mr.. Clemens
first met his beautiful wife while on the
famous voyage of the Quaker City. and
he pursued his acquaintance after their
return so closely that at last the young
lady's papa one day called the ardent
and devoted Mark into his private
study and said, after some preamble:
"Mr. Clemens. have something to
say to you which bears upon subject
of grave Importance. at least to me and
mine. You hare been coming here for
some time and your manners leave no
doubt in my mind as to your object.
Now, my daughters welfare is very
dear to me, and before l can admit you
to her society on the footing of sutton
to her hand l would like to know some
thing more than 1 do about you. your
antecedents. etc. Stop minute! You
must remember that a man may be
good fellow and pleasant companion
on voyage and all that. but when it
is question as grave as this wise
father tries to take every precaution
before allowing his daughters affec-
lions to become engaged, and ask of
you. as gentleman. that you shall give
me the names of some of your friends
in California to whom l may write and
make such inquiries as deem neces-
sary. that is, if you still desire our
friendship"
1t was now Mark Twain's turn.
"Sir," said he. bowling profoundly.
as became a young man who respects
his hoped-for father-in-law, '.your SEN
timents are in every way correct.
approve of them myself, and hasten to
add that you have not been mistaken
in my sentiments towards your daugh-
ter. who, may tell you candidly, seems
to me to be the most perfect of her sex,
and honor your solicitation for her
welfare. l am not only perfectly willing
to give you reference but am only too
glad to have an opportunity to do so,
which my natural modesty would have
prevented me from offering. There
fore, permit ME to give you the names
of few of my friends. will write
them down. First is Lieutenant Gen
eral John McComb, Alexander Badlam,
General Lander and Colonel W. II. L.
Barnes. They will all lie for me just
as l would for them under like circum-
stances"
This conclusion broke the old man all
up, and he never asked more reference
nor wrote to those gentlemen. Those
who know this quartette will appreciate
the joke.
A few weeks before Mark Twain
started away on the trip mentioned
above he was standing on Montgomery
street. leaning up against lamp-post,
and he held cigar-box under one arm.
MIS-. Captain Edward Poole, a very
beautiful woman, and as bright and as
witty as beautiful, came along and
held out her hand, saying: why,
Mark, where are you going in such
hurry?" I'm m-o-o-v-ing." drawled
Mark, ut the same time opening the
cigar-box. disclosing pair of blue
socks, pipe and two paper collars. -
N. ?. Cor. Philadelphia Press.